Wednesday, February 20, 2013

J. Crew does not inspire DIY nearly as often as its retail cousin Anthropologie. Anthro is know for quirky accessories and embellishments while J. Crew is known for actual clothes. J. Crew does get knocked off - but by Target and H&M more than you and me.

However, there are still some great J. Crew DIYs out there. I'll be sharing my own remake of the J. Crew Lattice necklace later this week.

Above, Anna at In Honor of Design made the J.Crew shirred maxi ($128) for $10 using liquid stitch.

A number of people made iterations of the J. Crew heart or sequin heart sweaters, including Jan Marie for Say Yes to Hoboken, seen below.

See painted heart tops with freezer paper at Bliss Bloom Blog and at With an IE.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

We got snow this week and will get more tonight, which emphasizes the irony of hosting anything fashion-related in February in New York City. Doesn't everybody know we've given up by now?

As I catalogued in this compelling post, late winter is all about turtlenecks, puffer coats and carb loading - Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs played out with enough layers to turn you into a human air bag.

Even the Sartorialist was hard pressed to find anyone fashionably put together earlier this week.

Source: thesartorialist.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Today, however, the sidewalks are clear so Blair can wear this.

Source: atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

She's from California. I hope she brought socks.

For those who plan to be outside for more than a minute, one trick for not going completely frumpy dumpy in an effort just to stay alive is to wear a graphic animal print coat, a technique I've actually tried. Except now it's too cold for a fake fur and the real animals are endangered and can't help me out here.

Source: fashionologie.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Wendy wears an animal print and, as always, looks like she just stepped out of a store display window.

Source: wendyslookbook.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Another option is the brightly colored coat. You can be unique, stylish and sort of warm. Actually, neither of these women looks warm. But they do look fabulous.

Source: fashionologie.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: fashionologie.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Or you wear a more plain coat but keep it open so your stylish outfit peeks out.

Source: fashionologie.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Or you can combine these techniques. Wear a bright coat and leave it open. And stand over a steam grate.

Source: fabsugar.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Or you can practically take your coat off. Or just drag it behind you in the street.

Source: fashionologie.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Below you see my look since, oh, December. Black and black with some black. And a hat. If I could just bring myself to leave my coat open, I could probably look like a model, too.